ArcReader is part of the ArcGIS family of software products. It is built from the same ArcObjects components as ArcGIS for Desktop. ArcReader works with maps authored by ArcMap, and is published with ArcGIS Publisher.

ArcReader can only read data through a PMF. The PMF supports access to all standard vector and raster formats supported by ArcGIS. The PMF does not include the data. Rather, the PMF references the data whether it is on a local drive, a shared network drive, or an Internet service. The PMF preserves a live connection to the data, so the user's data view is dynamic.